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F. A. SMITH, Jr.

BUTTON FASTENBR. No. 295,441. Patented Mar. 18, 1884.

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FRANKLIN A. SMITH, JR, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND BUTTQN-FASTEN ER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 295,447, dated March 18, 1884.

Application filed January 523, 1854. (No model.)

Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at Providence, in the county of Providence and State of Rhode Island, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in ButtonF-asteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon,which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in that class of devices for securing buttons to fabric by means of which a button can be readily attached or detached without injury to the fastener, and without the aid of a setting-instrument.

To this end my invention consists, practically, of a hook-formed metallic fastener con sisting of a head or retaining portion, from the upper surface of which projects a curved hook and a washer or disk formed of leather, leather-board, pulp, or other non-metallic substance, having a central opening counterbored on one side of said washer; also, a recess or indentation on the outer edge of the washer, all as will be more clearly described hereinafter.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a side and bottom View of the metallic hook; Fig. 2, a side and bottom View of my improved washer. Fig. 3 represents the complete device ready for attachment. Fig. 4 represents my improved fastener with button attached to fabric. Figs. 5 and 6 are views of modifica- I tions of hook and washer.

. c r with the point 0 some distance from the side of the head a, as shown in Fig. 1. This hook constitutes the first feature of my invention. The other-feature consists of the washer B,

I which is formed of the above-mentioned nonmetallio substances, 7 but more preferably leather, and is provided with the central openface of the washer, as shown at d in Fig. 2. The outer surface of the washer is also rounded to present a smooth finished appearance. It is also provided on its edge with a recess or indentation, f, into which the point c of the fastening-hook A extends when the two parts are united, the head a of the hook A resting in the counterbored portion d, which is of the same form or configuration as the head a.

In the manufacture of my improved fastener the nail or tack may be first passed through the washer straight and secured thereto, and

afterward bent into form; but I prefer to make them separate and then unite them, in which case the washer is first formed, as described, and the nail or tack, after having been bent into shape, is passed through the washer from the rounded side, and carried around until the point 0 is curved over into the recess or indentation f, and the head a reaches the counterbored portion d of the central opening, 6,

of the washer, into which it is pressed, thus securely fastening the hook and washer togcther, the head a forming a smooth surface with the rounded portion of the washer, thus forming the complete device shown in Fig. 3.

The operation of attachingabutton to fabric is as follows: The eye of abutton is first passed through a hole previousely made in the fabric. The edges (t of the recess portion of the washer and then placed against the under surface of the fabric, with the recess in the washer circling the protruding button eye, which position brings the point 0 of the hook portion A directly opposite the opening inthe button-eye, when'the hook portion can be readily passed through the button-eye until the inner surface of the washer lies snugly against the under surface of the fabric, thus securing the button in position, with the button-eye resting in the hook portion b, as fully shown in Fig. 4. The hook portion b, being practically embedded lengthwise of the opening in the fabric, prevents it from being turned around in use, while the point e of the hook, extending below the inner surface of the washer, pre- Vents the p, ssibility of the button becoming detached bynnhooking.

The metallic hook A of itself forms a substantial fastening for attaching buttons to thick leather and the like. Independent of the Y washer.

washer, but for general use as a fastener for all grades of material, the combinedhook and washer offers a greater amount of resistance to any strain which may be brought to bear on the button.

The modifications shown in Figs. 5 and 6 are substantially the equivalent of the above described hook and washer, the hook shown in Fig. 5 being cut from sheet metal of the same form as the hook shown in Fig. 1, without any bending or further manipulation, the washer shown in Fig. 6 being the same as that shown in Fig. 2, with the exception of the central opening, 6, and counterbored portion d, which is formedto correspond with the shape of the cut head a shown in Fig. 5, the final result being the same in both cases. When the hook and washer are united they form the complete fastener shown in Fig. 3.

It will be observed that the washer, being formed of leather or other non-metallic sub stances, presents a smooth finished appearance on the under surface of a garment, and the outer edges are not as liable to cut or chat'e the fabric, as is the difficulty with a metal The washer is also adapted to be stained or colored to correspond with the color of the fabric to which itinay be attached.

I am aware that metal washers have heretofore been used in combination with bent hooks and pins and staples; but I am not aware of a washer ever having been made before like the one herein described, or a hook of the configuration of the metal one here shown and described.

Having described my invention,whatl claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. The metallic fastener A, having head portion a, curved loop b, and point 0, arranged and adapted for use as described.

2. In a. button-fastener, the metallic hook A, having'head a, loop I), point 0, and the non-metallic washer B, provided with central opening e, counterbored portion d, and recess f, combined, substantially as shown and described.

In testimony whereof I aifix my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

FRANKLIN A. SMITH, JR.-

WVitnesses: I

E. FISHER, CHARLES 

